Japan's Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the upcoming French Open with a hamstring injury, she said on Thursday.
The 22-year-old had her left hamstring taped when she battled back against Victoria Azarenka in the US Open final in New York on Saturday to win her third Grand Slam title.
“Unfortunately, I won't be able to play the French Open this year,” the world No 3 wrote on social media in a message she also posted in Japanese.
“My hamstring is still sore so I won't have time to prepare for the clay — these two tournaments came too close to each other for me this time.”
The French Open will be held from September 27 to October 11 after being moved from its usual late May-June slot due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The hamstring issue had prompted Osaka to withdraw from the final of the Western & Southern Open in the run-up to the US Open but it did not appear to hamper her at Flushing Meadows.
Osaka made headlines in New York as much for her performances on court as for her commitment to social justice causes.
For each of her US Open matches she wore a different mask that carried the name of a Black American, aiming to highlight racial injustice in the US to a wider audience.
The withdrawal of Osaka, who has never advanced past the third round at Roland Garros, comes as another blow to the tournament after world No 1 Australia's Ash Barty said she would not be defending her title due to Covid-19 concerns.
Osaka withdraws from French Open with hamstring injury
Image: Danielle Parhizkaran
Japan's Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the upcoming French Open with a hamstring injury, she said on Thursday.
The 22-year-old had her left hamstring taped when she battled back against Victoria Azarenka in the US Open final in New York on Saturday to win her third Grand Slam title.
“Unfortunately, I won't be able to play the French Open this year,” the world No 3 wrote on social media in a message she also posted in Japanese.
“My hamstring is still sore so I won't have time to prepare for the clay — these two tournaments came too close to each other for me this time.”
The French Open will be held from September 27 to October 11 after being moved from its usual late May-June slot due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The hamstring issue had prompted Osaka to withdraw from the final of the Western & Southern Open in the run-up to the US Open but it did not appear to hamper her at Flushing Meadows.
Osaka made headlines in New York as much for her performances on court as for her commitment to social justice causes.
For each of her US Open matches she wore a different mask that carried the name of a Black American, aiming to highlight racial injustice in the US to a wider audience.
The withdrawal of Osaka, who has never advanced past the third round at Roland Garros, comes as another blow to the tournament after world No 1 Australia's Ash Barty said she would not be defending her title due to Covid-19 concerns.
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